The web-based interfaces offered by the shipping services allow you to schedule shipments, manage billing, store addresses, and track packages online. Some third-party services offer simplified interfaces and allow you to track shipments from multiple shipping carriers at once. Still, the process of entering multiple tracking numbers into multiple services can be cumbersome. I prefer the email-based input method used by the TrackMyShipments service.
TrackMyShipments is an email-based online package tracking service I used for more than year and half to as a streamlined method to track packages. TrackMyShipments takes advantage of the fact that you already have the tracking numbers sent to you in email. I wrote about another email based interface in my review of how TripIt Shows the Value of Combining Email, Web and APIs. The signup process is very quick. After registration, you simply forward an email messages with tracking numbers to track@trackmyshipments.com and the service will send you a notification when the shipping status of you package changes.
Say you want to see when the new hard disk you ordered will arrive so that you could finally get around to your New Years resolution to make regular backups. The most common way to find out the status of your package is to search through your email to find the confirmation email from the store that has the tracking number for your drive. If you are lucky the store has formatted the message so you can simply click on a link and it will take you directly to the page on the shippers site that has information about the state of your package.
Unfortunately, many stores do not give their customers such an easy path and so must copy the number from the email and paste it into the web form for your package carrier. You might even already have an account on the package carriers web site that lets you save the number for future reference or set up email or SMS alerts to let you know when there is progress or problems. So you sign into the service and paste in the tracking number you found. This somewhat cumbersome process is the norm.
TrackMyShipments has a few options to configure the level of detail about the status of the shipment. If you choose, the service will notify you about every hop the package takes along the route, but in my experience this is far too much information. I configure the service to notify me on the day of delivery and for any exceptions. This means I get notified that the package is out for delivery and when it is delivered or if there are any problems with the delivery. All of the package carriers have pretty significant lag in their delivery status information and TrackMyShipments can not give you any more information than the carriers have, it’s just more convenient.
The TrackMyShipments iPhone and iPod Touch application allows mobile users to see the current status of all packages tracked and the ability to remove any packages from tracking. Previously the service offered both free and paid versions of iPhone application. TrackMyShipments for the iPhone is now free and advertising supported with iAds. The application includes push notifications, unlimited shipments and the ability to associate users, which were previously paid add ons. The iPhone application works with both free and pro accounts.
Overall, I find TrackMyShipments is the most convenient way to track packages online. The service is simple to use and in my experience it just works. While neither the TrackMyShipments web site nor the iPhone application will win any design awards, there is little reason to use either unless you want an overview of all shipments at once. TrackMyShipments supports tracking DHL, FedEx, UPS, and US Postal Service packages. The basic TrackMyShipments service is free for tracking up to 10 shipments at a time. You will receive email updates about that status of your package or you can log on to TrackMyShipments to see the status and location of all of your shipments. TrackMyShipments Pro costs $20 a year and gives you the ability to track unlimited packages and receive notifications about the shipping status via SMS. I suspect most people will find the basic more than adequate, although those with greater package tracking needs will find the pro service a bargain.
* A version of this article originally appeared as TrackMyShipments Offers Simple Email-Based Package Tracking in my Messaging News “On Message Column.” Revisions and iPhone application updates on September 13, 2010.